Reddit reviews Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally (Non)

Ok a bit of a long read, but you can do it!!!

Have you done any research on labor yourself or just listened to horror stories from other people? Don't go getting too scared!

I got terrified of ever giving birth when my mom told me "it's like period pain but 10 times worse". At that point she didn't know I had endometriosis and actually pass out from the pain. Even now she still doesn't understand. It wasn't till I was in my 30s that I mentioned it to a midwife friend of mine and she said, its different for everyone and just because I've had this pain doesn't mean it will be 10x worse, maybe it'll only be the same.

My point being, you may have had it bad in previous situations, but you may find inner strength when you need it.

Personally I think informing ourselves as to what our bodies can do is very important. For generations we've had doctors tell us we need to do it a certain way. But there are other ways of doing things and knowing about them may help you.

One book I found really empowering and well written is Janet Balaskas Active Birth. Even if you plan on an epidural the second you walk into hospital this helps you understand what's going on in your body. Once you know you wont be as fearful. I've used some of the positions to help my back pain already. Some days it was so bad I'd be in tears and hardly able to walk. Knowing what position to get into to relieve the pain has helped a lot!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1558320385


Another book I found helpful deals more with how your mind and body work while it in pain. I never thought if be able to get a needle every day because I always pass out getting blood tests done. Well for a year and a half I was getting up to 7 injections a day! Plus surgery every month. I lay down for blood tests. I take a few deep breaths and I keep chatting with the tec doing the draw. Sometimes I get ones that don't understand my need to lay down. To them I simply tell them (in a half joking manner) that if they'd prefer to scrape me up of the floor that's ok but I'm trying to save them the trouble. You need to find what works for you. Get back in control of your body as much as you can.

Here's the second book I found helpful.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1741750970
It goes over lots of ways to occupy your brain and deal with fear and adrenalin. One thing that stuck with me is 'labor pain is healthy pain.migraines and endometriosis are NOT healthy pain' and there is a difference.
Another thing that stuck with me was that by burning off the adrenalin with activity or sound will increase the production of endorphins to help deal with the pain.


So basically, my suggestion to you, read and empower yourself to try and get past your anxiety and stress. Read with your SO, it sounds like he's already doing what he can to help and is willing to do more. Work together as a team and you'll be great!!

I am looooving [Active Birth] (https://www.amazon.com/Active-Birth-Approach-Giving-Naturally/dp/1558320385). It's all about each stage of labor, how birth positions affect them, exercises to try, etc. It's great.

I think we're in the same position - I'd rather be active in labor than lying down, but everyone tells me I'm going to want the epidural, and I wonder about my pain tolerance... My hospital offers a Natural Birth Class - is that an option for you? It may give you more information! Also, yesterday someone who recommended the book, Active Birth, in their birth story. I was thinking about reading through that was well.

I had both of my children naturally. In both situations I was throwing up during labor (phenergan is your friend). It was tiring and by time I was ready for it to end, it did. The second time around was better, part of that is because I read Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally and it helped a great deal.